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Transformation of the Shelley Sisters #2
Vicar's Daughter to Viscount's Lady
From prim and proper…
Seduced, abandoned and pregnant, Arabella Shelley is determined her baby's father will support them. Horrified to discover his death, she is shocked at the demand of his brother, the handsome, inscrutable Viscount Hadleigh. To legitimize her unborn child, she must marry him, instead!
…to pleasured by the viscount!
As Bella struggles with her unfamiliar, luxurious new lifestyle, and her scandalous desire for her stranger of a husband, will she find a love that matches the passion of their marriage bed?
Seduced, abandoned and pregnant, Arabella Shelley is determined her baby's father will support them. Horrified to discover his death, she is shocked at the demand of his brother, the handsome, inscrutable Viscount Hadleigh. To legitimize her unborn child, she must marry him, instead!
…to pleasured by the viscount!
As Bella struggles with her unfamiliar, luxurious new lifestyle, and her scandalous desire for her stranger of a husband, will she find a love that matches the passion of their marriage bed?
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 2010
37 people are currently reading
314 people want to read
About the author
Louise Allen
424 books331 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
This author also writes under the name Francesca Shaw.
I have had my nose buried in a history book - fact or fiction - for as long as I can remember, but even more important to me are the places and the objects that conjure up the past. My first attempt at historical fiction at the age of eight was three pages of improbable medieval drama set in the local castle.
With a degree in geography and archaeology I love to try and 'read' the landscape and the buildings in it for clues about the past. Virtually any place can trigger ideas for plots, but I am particularly inspired by Venice, Burgundy, Mediterranean islands and the Hertfordshire and Norfolk countryside.
I live in England in a village in Bedfordshire with my long-suffering husband. He is not sure whether to be flattered or alarmed to be told he is the inspiration for all my romantic heroes! Whenever possible we escape to our cottage on the North Norfolk coast where Percy, the bossy pheasant, allows us to share the garden.
My resolution every time I start on a new plot is to plan it carefully, make copious notes first and write lots of drafts in a disciplined and orderly manner. What inevitably happens is that the story starts to write itself in my head until it gets completely out of control - meanwhile my study floor becomes a sea of open books, prints and maps and I am found sitting in the car at traffic lights, muttering dialogue. At that point I have to start writing, knowing full well that the hero and heroine are going to take over and sabotage all my attempts at discipline. It is, after all, their story.
This author also writes under the name Francesca Shaw.
I have had my nose buried in a history book - fact or fiction - for as long as I can remember, but even more important to me are the places and the objects that conjure up the past. My first attempt at historical fiction at the age of eight was three pages of improbable medieval drama set in the local castle.
With a degree in geography and archaeology I love to try and 'read' the landscape and the buildings in it for clues about the past. Virtually any place can trigger ideas for plots, but I am particularly inspired by Venice, Burgundy, Mediterranean islands and the Hertfordshire and Norfolk countryside.
I live in England in a village in Bedfordshire with my long-suffering husband. He is not sure whether to be flattered or alarmed to be told he is the inspiration for all my romantic heroes! Whenever possible we escape to our cottage on the North Norfolk coast where Percy, the bossy pheasant, allows us to share the garden.
My resolution every time I start on a new plot is to plan it carefully, make copious notes first and write lots of drafts in a disciplined and orderly manner. What inevitably happens is that the story starts to write itself in my head until it gets completely out of control - meanwhile my study floor becomes a sea of open books, prints and maps and I am found sitting in the car at traffic lights, muttering dialogue. At that point I have to start writing, knowing full well that the hero and heroine are going to take over and sabotage all my attempts at discipline. It is, after all, their story.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
May 23, 2012
This book is a storyline about two people who end up starting a marriage under less than ideal circumstances. Arabella is pregnant by a man who lied to her, used her, and abandoned her. Leaving her pregnant. She tracks him down to find he has died, and gains an audience with his younger brother. Elliot has fought to find his own path instead of living in his brother's shadow. And he's done a spectacular job. While Rafe lived a dissolute, selfish life, Elliot sought a productive one, full of physical activity and meaning. When a bedraggled, plain young woman comes to his home and claims to be pregnant by his brother, he knows it's upon his honor to do the right thing and marry her, even she did not demand this of him. He is determined to do right by her, and in the process cultivate a decent marriage, raising his brother's child as his own. Haha, the great plans we make! Soon, both Arabella and Elliott realize a comfortable marriage is not enough for either of them.
What I liked:
* I found Elliott to be a good hero, but also quite realistic. I liked that he was troubled by the fact that his wife wasn't carrying his own child, and insecure enough to resent the fact that his brother's child might inherit his title. It was only to be expected, since he's a normal human being, not a saint. I couldn't blame him. We don't always have the most unselfish feelings about things, and I would expect no less of him to struggle with this, in light of the fact that he had never been close to his brother, nor had his brother treated him well as an adult, despite his overtures. In the end, he realizes how much he cares for the child Arabella has, more than he even though possible. I liked how he was there for Arabella, despite his misgivings. I liked that he never even considered betraying his marriage vows, despite the fact that Arabella wasn't his chosen bride. Elliott was a very admirable man and I liked him a lot as a hero.
* Arabella came a long way in this book. I could understand her insecurities, uncertainties and misgivings. Going from an overbearing, unloving father, being mistreated by a man who pretended to love her only to get laid, and then dealing with the guilt of a pregnancy out of wedlock and a marriage to that man's brother in order to give her child a family. She had to come to realize she was worthy of love, and that she had the right to demand more. She bloomed beautifully with some security of a good marriage, and that's a good thing.
* I liked the development of love between Arabella and Elliott. It made sense that they had to work through a lot of the issues they faced to find love. I could see their feelings change to something more over time in the way they treated and interacted with each other.
What could have been better:
* I felt a bit emotionally detached from this story. I would have liked more of a sizzle in the story, and I'm not talking loving scenes. The love scenes actually were nicely sensuous, but I didn't feel as drawn into this story overall as I would hope. I merely felt an affection for the characters, not a strong pull towards them.
Overall thoughts:
This was a good romance novel. I liked the handling of the theme of the heroine carrying another man's child, specifically the hero's brother. The fact that Arabella had been intimate and taken advantage of by Elliott's brother wasn't minimized as an issue, but neither was it handled in such a way where I felt like I couldn't get past that to believe in them as a couple. Instead, I felt as though Rafe (the dead brother)'s actions might have resulted in something good in the end, two people finding true love together. At least something worthwhile came out of his selfishness, other than his child. Overall, I was satisfied with this story.
What I liked:
* I found Elliott to be a good hero, but also quite realistic. I liked that he was troubled by the fact that his wife wasn't carrying his own child, and insecure enough to resent the fact that his brother's child might inherit his title. It was only to be expected, since he's a normal human being, not a saint. I couldn't blame him. We don't always have the most unselfish feelings about things, and I would expect no less of him to struggle with this, in light of the fact that he had never been close to his brother, nor had his brother treated him well as an adult, despite his overtures. In the end, he realizes how much he cares for the child Arabella has, more than he even though possible. I liked how he was there for Arabella, despite his misgivings. I liked that he never even considered betraying his marriage vows, despite the fact that Arabella wasn't his chosen bride. Elliott was a very admirable man and I liked him a lot as a hero.
* Arabella came a long way in this book. I could understand her insecurities, uncertainties and misgivings. Going from an overbearing, unloving father, being mistreated by a man who pretended to love her only to get laid, and then dealing with the guilt of a pregnancy out of wedlock and a marriage to that man's brother in order to give her child a family. She had to come to realize she was worthy of love, and that she had the right to demand more. She bloomed beautifully with some security of a good marriage, and that's a good thing.
* I liked the development of love between Arabella and Elliott. It made sense that they had to work through a lot of the issues they faced to find love. I could see their feelings change to something more over time in the way they treated and interacted with each other.
What could have been better:
* I felt a bit emotionally detached from this story. I would have liked more of a sizzle in the story, and I'm not talking loving scenes. The love scenes actually were nicely sensuous, but I didn't feel as drawn into this story overall as I would hope. I merely felt an affection for the characters, not a strong pull towards them.
Overall thoughts:
This was a good romance novel. I liked the handling of the theme of the heroine carrying another man's child, specifically the hero's brother. The fact that Arabella had been intimate and taken advantage of by Elliott's brother wasn't minimized as an issue, but neither was it handled in such a way where I felt like I couldn't get past that to believe in them as a couple. Instead, I felt as though Rafe (the dead brother)'s actions might have resulted in something good in the end, two people finding true love together. At least something worthwhile came out of his selfishness, other than his child. Overall, I was satisfied with this story.
July 11, 2024
not bad, the plot was a little
off and it dragged on for waay too long to resolve only-in-their-head conflict. I get annoyed when characters base the worthiness of a relationship on saying I wuv you. I want to scream actions ✅ are a better indicator. But whatever, these silly ladies and dudes are so hung up on absolute devotion. I liked how H and h admit their emotional voids and at least try to move forward to work with what they have. Some parts made me inappropriate laugh, like the mirrors on the ceiling and the obvious mistress den Rafe had set up.
off and it dragged on for waay too long to resolve only-in-their-head conflict. I get annoyed when characters base the worthiness of a relationship on saying I wuv you. I want to scream actions ✅ are a better indicator. But whatever, these silly ladies and dudes are so hung up on absolute devotion. I liked how H and h admit their emotional voids and at least try to move forward to work with what they have. Some parts made me inappropriate laugh, like the mirrors on the ceiling and the obvious mistress den Rafe had set up.
March 12, 2013
In my opinion, Louise Allen is one of the consistently good authors in the Harlequin Historical stable, so I will usually at least consider buying her books as they come out. Last year, I think it was, I got a Kindle version of this title, but haven’t got around to reading it; so when I saw it was on my library’s digital audio service, I thought I’d give it a listen.
With audiobooks, of course the choice of narrator is crucial as they can make or break the book. Here it’s Jilly Bond, and I thought she was pretty good. Her voices for the male characters didn’t make me cringe and she was especially good as the dutiful and insecure heroine, Arabella Shelley.
I believe this is the second in the series of books about the Shelley sisters, and although I haven’t read or listened to the others, I don’t think you have to do that in order to enjoy this one.
Arabella and her two sisters live with their tyrannical father, a vicar, who expects them to remain unmarried and to look after him in his old age. Her other sisters have run away from home, leaving Arabella to bear the brunt of her father’s displeasure and despotism. Desperate to escape herself, she is blinded by the good looks and charm of Rafe, Viscount Hadleigh – and naïvely believes his protestations of love and promise of marriage. He seduces her and leaves her pregnant.
A few weeks later, Arabella sneaks away from the vicarage and makes her way to Hadleigh’s estate. Arriving tired, cold and hungry, she confronts her seducer – only to discover that the man she thinks is Rafe is actually his brother, Elliott, Rafe having died a few days earlier.
Unlike his brother, Elliott has a strong sense of honour, and feels he must do right by Arabella in order to atone for his brother’s irresponsibility and to bring up her child – if it is a son – as his heir.
The story is unoriginal, but well-told and I thought the author handled the conflicting emotions of the hero and heroine very well indeed. Both Elliott and Arabella are so intent on doing what they perceive their duty by each other to the extent that each fails to realise that the notion of doing one’s duty – whether in the bedroom or the breakfast-room isn’t going to be enough to make their marriage work.
Arabella’s lack of self-confidence in her ability to satisfy her husband in bed is quite natural given her experience with Rafe, who was not only manipulative, but cruel; and I liked that this part of the story wasn’t allowed to drag on for too long. Arabella and Elliott begin to feel comfortable with each other and to work as a team over improvements to the estate; and Elliott begins to realise that he has married a woman who is more than capable of maintaining her position as his viscountess. But the rot begins to set in when Elliott starts to resent the fact that, should Arabella’s baby be a boy, Rafe's son will inherit his title and estate rather than a son of his own. He knows his feelings do him no credit and actually I thought this was very realistic; Elliot is not perfect, but a man struggling to do the right thing. He is open with Arabella about his feelings – for the most part, lack of communication is not an issue between them – but even so, he cannot forgive himself for feeling as he does. But despite his misgivings, he is there for Arabella when she needs him, and surprises himself when he discovers the love he has for the child once it's born.
Of course, all is eventually worked through and Arabella and Elliott get their HEA, including, right at the end, the reappearance of one of Arabella's long-lost sisters.
I thought this was a decently-written story, which, while predictable in outcome, had depth to it in terms of the way it dealt with some of the more difficult emotional aspects of the narrative. The fact of Arabella's previous relationship with the hero's brother was not put easily aside, but wasn't made so much of it that it was difficult to reconcile with the eventual HEA. And I liked that Allen didn't shy away from showing Elliott in a less than heroic light over his feelings about the baby.
All in all, I liked the story and I thought that the chosen narrator did a very good job. I would certainly not be averse to listening to more audiobooks read by Jilly Bond.
With audiobooks, of course the choice of narrator is crucial as they can make or break the book. Here it’s Jilly Bond, and I thought she was pretty good. Her voices for the male characters didn’t make me cringe and she was especially good as the dutiful and insecure heroine, Arabella Shelley.
I believe this is the second in the series of books about the Shelley sisters, and although I haven’t read or listened to the others, I don’t think you have to do that in order to enjoy this one.
Arabella and her two sisters live with their tyrannical father, a vicar, who expects them to remain unmarried and to look after him in his old age. Her other sisters have run away from home, leaving Arabella to bear the brunt of her father’s displeasure and despotism. Desperate to escape herself, she is blinded by the good looks and charm of Rafe, Viscount Hadleigh – and naïvely believes his protestations of love and promise of marriage. He seduces her and leaves her pregnant.
A few weeks later, Arabella sneaks away from the vicarage and makes her way to Hadleigh’s estate. Arriving tired, cold and hungry, she confronts her seducer – only to discover that the man she thinks is Rafe is actually his brother, Elliott, Rafe having died a few days earlier.
Unlike his brother, Elliott has a strong sense of honour, and feels he must do right by Arabella in order to atone for his brother’s irresponsibility and to bring up her child – if it is a son – as his heir.
The story is unoriginal, but well-told and I thought the author handled the conflicting emotions of the hero and heroine very well indeed. Both Elliott and Arabella are so intent on doing what they perceive their duty by each other to the extent that each fails to realise that the notion of doing one’s duty – whether in the bedroom or the breakfast-room isn’t going to be enough to make their marriage work.
Arabella’s lack of self-confidence in her ability to satisfy her husband in bed is quite natural given her experience with Rafe, who was not only manipulative, but cruel; and I liked that this part of the story wasn’t allowed to drag on for too long. Arabella and Elliott begin to feel comfortable with each other and to work as a team over improvements to the estate; and Elliott begins to realise that he has married a woman who is more than capable of maintaining her position as his viscountess. But the rot begins to set in when Elliott starts to resent the fact that, should Arabella’s baby be a boy, Rafe's son will inherit his title and estate rather than a son of his own. He knows his feelings do him no credit and actually I thought this was very realistic; Elliot is not perfect, but a man struggling to do the right thing. He is open with Arabella about his feelings – for the most part, lack of communication is not an issue between them – but even so, he cannot forgive himself for feeling as he does. But despite his misgivings, he is there for Arabella when she needs him, and surprises himself when he discovers the love he has for the child once it's born.
Of course, all is eventually worked through and Arabella and Elliott get their HEA, including, right at the end, the reappearance of one of Arabella's long-lost sisters.
I thought this was a decently-written story, which, while predictable in outcome, had depth to it in terms of the way it dealt with some of the more difficult emotional aspects of the narrative. The fact of Arabella's previous relationship with the hero's brother was not put easily aside, but wasn't made so much of it that it was difficult to reconcile with the eventual HEA. And I liked that Allen didn't shy away from showing Elliott in a less than heroic light over his feelings about the baby.
All in all, I liked the story and I thought that the chosen narrator did a very good job. I would certainly not be averse to listening to more audiobooks read by Jilly Bond.
December 28, 2016
Decent writing & (unfulfilled) potential kept me going, despite the endless Little Misinterpretations bogging down a rather plotless storyline. The opening chapters were good & had me hooked, but then the action slowed to nonexistent to allow for Bella's endless angst -- no sooner was one issue resolved before she found yet another self-perceived defect with which to beat herself over the head, & that got old REALLY fast. Likewise, Elliott was a mimbo & blind to what should've been rather obvious. I liked that he was one of the 'Corinthian set', but alas...we never actually see him doing anything athletic, dangerous, and/or agricultural; it's all presented after the fact. Boooo.
[spoiler paragraph]
Personal peeve: Ms Allen chickened out with the paternity thread. Rather than forcing Elliott to elevate Rafe's son as his heir -- which would, in fact, have proven rather interesting -- the author bailed him out by making the child a girl. Thank you, Baby Jesus & forced plot contrivances! Now that precious masculine pride won't be offended by Not His Child inheriting the line. *wipes brow* But what if it WAS a boy? And what if Bella's rape & pregnancy had prevented having more children after said boy? But no. Glitter-dusted sunshine & rainbows abound. Wasted potential, indeed.
[/spoiler paragraph]
Ms Allen has a good rep amongst HQN fans, so I'm willing to try her again -- but this particular story is meh. Tepid 3 stars.
[spoiler paragraph]
Personal peeve: Ms Allen chickened out with the paternity thread. Rather than forcing Elliott to elevate Rafe's son as his heir -- which would, in fact, have proven rather interesting -- the author bailed him out by making the child a girl. Thank you, Baby Jesus & forced plot contrivances! Now that precious masculine pride won't be offended by Not His Child inheriting the line. *wipes brow* But what if it WAS a boy? And what if Bella's rape & pregnancy had prevented having more children after said boy? But no. Glitter-dusted sunshine & rainbows abound. Wasted potential, indeed.
[/spoiler paragraph]
Ms Allen has a good rep amongst HQN fans, so I'm willing to try her again -- but this particular story is meh. Tepid 3 stars.
June 28, 2021
England 1814, going forward. I jumped ahead and went
backwards, then forwards on this one.
Two brothers acted like clods in the romance dept. The
late Rafe seduced an innocent woman, Arabella, w/ no
sensitivity or finesse. Then bro Elliot married pregnant
Arabella to make her future baby legit. She was fine w/
kisses but froze up when Elliot went beyond this. So the
2nd time they nearly did the horizontal mambo, he got
angry at her! The best way to get her to relax was to yell
& curse? At one point, he commented that female dogs
were less trouble than women! What a gent!!!
Elliot wanted Bella to be her sweet & agreeable self, for
him to control the relationship. Bella learned to defer to
men, but 2x she confronted him. He resented having to
claim this baby as his & upset, if a baby boy, Rafe's son
would became Elliot's heir. Elliot stewed on this. Man
up Elliot & don your big boy boots!
Bella went 'from the frying pan into the fire.' Elliot
discovered he loved Bella (late in the story) when he
saved her from a near tragedy. Daniel would have been
an ideal mate for Bella.
backwards, then forwards on this one.
Two brothers acted like clods in the romance dept. The
late Rafe seduced an innocent woman, Arabella, w/ no
sensitivity or finesse. Then bro Elliot married pregnant
Arabella to make her future baby legit. She was fine w/
kisses but froze up when Elliot went beyond this. So the
2nd time they nearly did the horizontal mambo, he got
angry at her! The best way to get her to relax was to yell
& curse? At one point, he commented that female dogs
were less trouble than women! What a gent!!!
Elliot wanted Bella to be her sweet & agreeable self, for
him to control the relationship. Bella learned to defer to
men, but 2x she confronted him. He resented having to
claim this baby as his & upset, if a baby boy, Rafe's son
would became Elliot's heir. Elliot stewed on this. Man
up Elliot & don your big boy boots!
Bella went 'from the frying pan into the fire.' Elliot
discovered he loved Bella (late in the story) when he
saved her from a near tragedy. Daniel would have been
an ideal mate for Bella.
February 21, 2018
This was an okay book but a lot of it irritated me. The heroine, Arabella, was very tiresome for most of the story. In the beginning she had so many hangups that her self-esteem wasn't just low, it was in the negative numbers. And she seemed to be crying or despairing over one thing or another for practically the whole book without ever being able to articulate why. Elliot was pretty decent as the hero but he kind of grabbed the idiot ball a few times too, which was an annoying deviation from his character.
So all in all, this book just irritated me from start to finish. Bella’s constant self-flagellation was incredibly annoying. Elliot was a decent hero but LA chickened out on his character arc and resolved it without him having to grow at all. Can’t say that I recommend.
So all in all, this book just irritated me from start to finish. Bella’s constant self-flagellation was incredibly annoying. Elliot was a decent hero but LA chickened out on his character arc and resolved it without him having to grow at all. Can’t say that I recommend.
May 16, 2022
“Vicar’s Daughter to Viscount’s Lady” the second in this series is well-written and a welcomed read. This, Arabella’s (Bella) story, who with her two sisters lived with a cruel and overbearing vicar for a father. He believed that his daughters were sinners because they were women, and because of his tyranny, her two sisters had to flee or remain in a home that held abusive punishment. Since Arabella is left at home with her father, she is resigned to believe that she will become a spinster and look after her father in his old age.
It is not until she meets Rafe, Viscount Hadleigh that she persuaded by all his charm that she has an opportunity to leave the vicarage and her despicable father. Unfortunately, her naivete of many things, she is left seduced, with empty promises and with child. As she finds herself increasing, she sets off in search of Rafe and to make him own up to his responsibility. Once she arrives, she learns that Rafe is deceased and his brother Elliott has now come into the title of Viscount Hadleigh. Bella just wants the child taken care of and does not think anything for herself. However, Elliott prefers making the child a legitimate heir and that would force her into a marriage of convenience.
This second book was way better than the first and I would entertain the audio when I have time. I liked the building relationship between the two characters and Elliott’s patience with Bella when relinquishing her feelings for his brother. I also liked that Elliott had a kinder soul than his brother Rafe and how he grappled with making peace with the fact and accepting his brother’s child, when it was not necessary. Lovely story.
It is not until she meets Rafe, Viscount Hadleigh that she persuaded by all his charm that she has an opportunity to leave the vicarage and her despicable father. Unfortunately, her naivete of many things, she is left seduced, with empty promises and with child. As she finds herself increasing, she sets off in search of Rafe and to make him own up to his responsibility. Once she arrives, she learns that Rafe is deceased and his brother Elliott has now come into the title of Viscount Hadleigh. Bella just wants the child taken care of and does not think anything for herself. However, Elliott prefers making the child a legitimate heir and that would force her into a marriage of convenience.
This second book was way better than the first and I would entertain the audio when I have time. I liked the building relationship between the two characters and Elliott’s patience with Bella when relinquishing her feelings for his brother. I also liked that Elliott had a kinder soul than his brother Rafe and how he grappled with making peace with the fact and accepting his brother’s child, when it was not necessary. Lovely story.
February 8, 2020
This is my third reading but I've never bothered rating bc I knew I wouldn't forget it. Louise Allen is an autobuy for me bc she is so accurate in historical details and her writing is impeccable. Some are better than others, but all are worth the money. I particularly love her MOC's. This one isn't a fave, but it's a good one. I am blessed with a used bookstore nearby that hasn't been killed off by Amazons 2nd hand online store, so I am able to get paperbacks, which I like bc I am vehemently opposed to digital rights bull. And the fact that I live near a Del Webb community and have to buy the large print version has become a plus as I age, LOL. Glass half full and all that. I don't get too involved in reviews unless I get angry, but if your tastes run similar to mine in historical romance, then I definitely recommend that you try something of hers that interests you.
March 24, 2012
From prim and proper…
Seduced, abandoned and pregnant, Arabella Shelley is determined her baby's father will support them. Horrified to discover his death, she is shocked at the demand of his brother, the handsome, inscrutable Viscount Hadleigh. To legitimize her unborn child, she must marry him, instead!
…to pleasured by the viscount!
As Bella struggles with her unfamiliar, luxurious new lifestyle, and her scandalous desire for her stranger of a husband, will she find a love that matches the passion of their marriage bed?
I am a big Louise Allen fan. This story line had me hooked from the beginning. I loved Arabella Shelley, but Viscount Hadleigh was the perfect Regency hero.
Seduced, abandoned and pregnant, Arabella Shelley is determined her baby's father will support them. Horrified to discover his death, she is shocked at the demand of his brother, the handsome, inscrutable Viscount Hadleigh. To legitimize her unborn child, she must marry him, instead!
…to pleasured by the viscount!
As Bella struggles with her unfamiliar, luxurious new lifestyle, and her scandalous desire for her stranger of a husband, will she find a love that matches the passion of their marriage bed?
I am a big Louise Allen fan. This story line had me hooked from the beginning. I loved Arabella Shelley, but Viscount Hadleigh was the perfect Regency hero.
November 26, 2011
Sensual writing and great exploration of a tarnished start to a new relationship. Loved the soul searching and struggle to fulfill duty and find personal satisfaction. There was a scene where Arabella breaks free of her compliant facade and the writing was so well done, it made me love the story.
May 12, 2022
A sweet and fast romance with quite a bit of angst! I wasn’t sure how this book would go, especially in the beginning after everything with Rafe! I even questioned allowed his intentions! But! Elliot and Bella were lovely and I loved this story. Elliot did frustrate me a lot of the time, but he eventually came around. I felt for Bella throughout the entire book and am happy with the outcome! I also realized I started this series out of order, but I will definitely be bag to read about Bella’s sisters!! ✨
February 5, 2023
3.75⭐️ This was such an interesting story. I thought it dealt with the messier emotions of the situation when many other books usually gloss over them. The one thing that was a bit jarring to me was the abruptness of the writing. There were little to no transitions between the scenes. I often found myself going back a few sentences to make sure I didn’t miss something. While this was cute, it bordered on “could have easily been solved with one good conversation.” That’s a pet peeve of mine.
June 4, 2023
Not sure if it’s my mood or Regency is getting kind of blah. I love historical fiction and though market is saturated, I always come back to Regencies because of the rituals and drama. Everything is about ton, appearances, and debutantes behaving badly.
What intrigued me about this story was a protagonist as a vicar’s daughter marrying into the aristocracy. A horrid rake Viscount dies and leaves her unwed and pregnant. She ends up marrying the spare through a MOC that starts off quite interesting but after a while falls flat.
The beginning of getting to know each other and negligee shopping was interesting. I wanted more drama from two strangers marrying but what I got was okay.
I was so intrigued by the story but towards the end, the contrived drama was just prolonging the inevitable.
All that being said, I did enjoy the authors voice and would check her out again.
What intrigued me about this story was a protagonist as a vicar’s daughter marrying into the aristocracy. A horrid rake Viscount dies and leaves her unwed and pregnant. She ends up marrying the spare through a MOC that starts off quite interesting but after a while falls flat.
The beginning of getting to know each other and negligee shopping was interesting. I wanted more drama from two strangers marrying but what I got was okay.
I was so intrigued by the story but towards the end, the contrived drama was just prolonging the inevitable.
All that being said, I did enjoy the authors voice and would check her out again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2023
Vicar's daughter finds herself pregnant by a rake and ends up in a marriage of convenience with his brother. Thoroughly enjoyed this! A fast, low drama read.
Read
August 15, 2025DNF
August 2, 2019
She thought he was her Prince Charming to rescue her from her dreary life. She was very wrong. Loved this one. I have read the other 2 in the trilogy.
February 3, 2012
The Transformation of the Shelley Sisters - book 2
Arabella "Bella" Shelley has a one time affair with Rafe(the 1st Viscount Hadleigh) and he spurns her and belittles her into thinking she is frigid and unfeeling and unable to please a man and leaves. She becomes pregnant and ends up on his doorstep to give her demands or him and finds out that he has died and his younger brother "Elliott" is now Viscount Hadleigh. The new Viscount demands that they marry for James' child to be legitimate and heir if it is a son. Elliott loves to shop and buys her clothes and underclothes and hats, etc. She learns much about his older brother, Rafe, and how he truly was a rake and did not have regard for much at all. Elliott realizes that Rafe "used" Arabella. I enjoyed this book and always enjoy reading a Louse Allen book. I did like this one a bit better than the first although they were both good. 4+
Arabella "Bella" Shelley has a one time affair with Rafe(the 1st Viscount Hadleigh) and he spurns her and belittles her into thinking she is frigid and unfeeling and unable to please a man and leaves. She becomes pregnant and ends up on his doorstep to give her demands or him and finds out that he has died and his younger brother "Elliott" is now Viscount Hadleigh. The new Viscount demands that they marry for James' child to be legitimate and heir if it is a son. Elliott loves to shop and buys her clothes and underclothes and hats, etc. She learns much about his older brother, Rafe, and how he truly was a rake and did not have regard for much at all. Elliott realizes that Rafe "used" Arabella. I enjoyed this book and always enjoy reading a Louse Allen book. I did like this one a bit better than the first although they were both good. 4+
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2025
I liked this one. Quite original plot, flawed but likeable characters.
I disagree with other reviewers that say the author took the easy way out on the hero's dilemma. The easy way out would be
I disagree with other reviewers that say the author took the easy way out on the hero's dilemma. The easy way out would be
July 8, 2014
Arabella who is a vicars daughter is seduced by Viscount Hadleigh and when she finds that she is pregnant goes to the babes father to tell him and have him support the baby. When she arrives at Viscount Hadleighs estate she finds that the babes father is dead and that his brother now holds the title. His brother decides to marry Arabella to legitimize the baby. Will Arabella agree to this plan?
October 7, 2012
Second book in a series, which started out reasonably well. This one was much better than the first, and appealed to my love of external incidents creating tension by having two of my favourite disasters in one chapter. Now to track down the third part of the trilogy...
February 5, 2017
Dull, uninteresting characters. The story was stupid and dry. The romance.....what little there was, was unexciting!! It's like this author is new at writing regency romance! Good grief what a waste of my time reading this drizzle!
March 3, 2019
Certainly an easy read. Not much mystery, the story focused on the romance part. Elliot and Arabella are likeable and match for each other. Some loose ends but it is better than all the books I read last month. So, great job.
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October 1, 2011Miniseries: The Transformation of the Shelley Sisters
Read
December 24, 2014Miniseries: The Transformation of the Shelley Sisters
May 22, 2013
another nice book from miss allen..nice writing style..and good H & h...with their struggles well written.. :) at the end of it..
February 6, 2016
A sweet story. I liked both Elliot and Arabella. The book left me feeling warm and fuzzy and was a perfect light/romantic evening read.
February 26, 2017
Didn't really like this one. I did not feel connected to the characters or story.
December 8, 2011
Enjoyable book!
June 9, 2019
Sebuah cerita yang manis bagaimana menyatukan perbedaan dalam sebuah ikatan pernikahan. Menampilkan kisah yang berbeda dari buku pertamanya, kisah Elliot dan Arabella Shelley lebih sentimentil saya rasa. Arabella mengandung anak dari kakak Elliot dan Elliot bertanggung jawab untuk memenuhi kewajiban moralnya terhadap putri pendeta yang ditipu mendiang kakaknya. Jadi sebenarnya saya merasa kasihan atas keadaan mereka. Betapa rumit hubungan pernikahan pada era itu dimana perceraian tidak diperbolehkan, jika Arabella menikah dengan Elliot maka hubungan itu berlangsung seumur hidup dan permanen terlepas mereka adalah orang asing ketika menikah. Ini bukan tipikal novel yang akan membuat kita naik turun karena konfliknya. Kesannya masih agak flat tapi konflik emosionalnya digambarkan dengan baik jadi suasana hati tokoh-tokohnya dapat dirasakan juga oleh pembaca. Jadi alih-alih dibuat 'gregetan', sebagai pembaca saya dibuat hangat dan terinspirasi. Sebuah bacaan cepat yang tidak akan mudah dilupakan begitu saja.
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